New Year, Tiny Treasures

By Connie S. Arnold

Growing up, the phrase “I love you” was not something you heard in our household very much. Not like today when you hear many phone conversations ending in “love you”. There was not a lack of love in our home, but it was expressed differently.

Did my dad love me? I remember two things that remain firmly in my mind. Long after I needed the assistance, he would cut the sections in the grapefruit halves we shared. He would also mash the fish on my plate to make sure there were no bones. He attended all of my school functions, but his highest verbal compliment was “it’ll do”. Mother’s love shone in all she did for us, putting her own desires aside. Again, not much verbal love expressed, but my sister and I had no doubt of her love.

Love is not mushy, but it is strong enough to stand on its own. This new year I have resolved to show love. A friend of mine described everyone traveling through life carrying buckets. These buckets did not hold a list of what they wanted to do, but these buckets were held out in hopes of something being given to them to fill the empty space.

The  action of showing love need not come from any warm, fuzzy feeling; it is backed by our choice to touch another human spirit. A desire to leave that person lifted a little higher than before we met.

Too hard? Proverbs 25:11 says, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Sounds like a cheerful word to someone that we meet who is not smiling might be valuable. We are dropping tiny treasures into their buckets for them to reflect back on–like cutting grapefruit sections or mashing fish.

The tiny treasure that we drop into their bucket might just cover a rusted scrap that has lodged in the bottom. Our actions may convince them that all the world is not out “to get” them. A smile, a phone call, a card, a listening ear without advice, or a ride to an appointment. Be in tune. You will know what to do.

Here is the most important thing to remember. “The King will reply ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’,” (Matthew 25:40-45 NIV).

We may not be blessing people to be rewarded, but Jesus says, “And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded,” (Matthew 10:42 NIV).

This desire came to me before January 1, but when our preacher asked if anyone had made a New Year’s Resolution, I raised my hand.

CSA___________